Category Archives: Blog

It’s been a little over a month since Apple released its AirTag Bluetooth trackers and it looks like the company is finally doing something about its privacy features — or lack, thereof. 

First reported by CNET, Apple is pushing out a firmware update that makes it easier for people to identify when unwanted AirTags are traveling with them. 

As noted by 9to5Mac, the update will be installed automatically when the AirTag’s in range of your iPhone. It should list the build number as 1A276d and the firmware version of 1.0.276.

In a statement to Mashable, Apple confirmed the following changes within the update: Read more…

More about Apple, Tech, and Consumer Tech

All it took was a fundamental disruption to the nation’s fuel supply and a threat to meat, but the U.S. Department of Justice is finally going to start taking ransomware seriously. Or, at least more seriously.

So reports Reuters, which on Thursday noted that the DOJ is “elevating investigations of ransomware attacks to a similar priority as terrorism.” This move, in part, will involve coordinating responses to ransomware with a single task force in Washington D.C.

Ransomware is a form of digital extortion that involves encrypting a victim’s files and then offering to provide a decryption key for a price, typically paid in cryptocurrency.  Read more…

More about Cybersecurity, Ransomware, Tech, and Cybersecurity

The seats of the Airo electric car, a concept vehicle from Heatherwick Studios, can be transformed into living spaces that serve multiple purposes. Read more…

More about Mashable Video, Innovation, Electric Vehicles, Electric Car, and Smart Car

“Yes, the rumors are true,” reads a tweet from Twitter’s official communications team . 

The rumors are about Twitter’s often talked about paid subscription service. Twitter unveiled the new subscription tier, Twitter Blue, on Thursday. It is rolling immediately in Canada and Australia.

That’s right, Canadian and Australian Mashable readers. Twitter is launching this service’s “first iteration,” exclusively for you.

So, what’s included?

More about Twitter, Subscription, Tech, Social Media Companies, and Big Tech Companies

There are suitcases that have power banks built in, that you can ride on when you get tired, that follow you automatically around the airport, that convert into backpacks and duffels and probably into tiny standing desks for the indefatigable business traveler.

But every piece of luggage, no matter how fancy, has one thing in common: at some point, you’ll have to lift it. Read more…

More about Lifestyle, Travel, Reviews, Lifestyle, and Other

SAVE $1.02: The new Apple AirTag is on sale for the first time ever — as of June 3, you could get one on Amazon for just $27.98 (normally $29).

Leaving the house after a good year of being stuck indoors will pose some weird new challenges for many of us, whether it’s relearning how to make small talk, mustering up the energy to put on real pants, or remembering to bring everything we need. (Phone! Keys! Wallet! Mask!)

If you need some extra help with the latter, Apple’s got just the thing: Its brand new AirTag is a Bluetooth tracking device (and a potential Tile killer) that works with the Find My app. Toss one in a bag or attach it to something, and you’ll be able to track your most important belongings — even a pet, as TikTok’s realized — on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Read more…

More about Apple, Mashable Shopping, Bluetooth Tracker, Tech, and Consumer Tech

Wireless earbuds have only gotten better, cheaper, and more abundant since Apple first introduced AirPods in 2016. Over the years, we’ve seen thoe earbuds go from being the biggest name in the game to just one of many, thanks to legit competition from the likes of Google, Samsung, and Amazon. With the new Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds, Google is bringing serious heat and value to the space, especially for Android users.

You’d be forgiven for thinking these are exactly the same as the Pixel Buds Google released in 2020. They’re nearly identical in appearance and performance, and Google hasn’t added much in the way of flashy new features to entice would-be buyers. The Google Assistant, adaptive volume, and Google Translate functions that were selling points of the previous Buds are still here. Really, the most significant change is in price: The new Pixel Buds are just $100, compared to $180 for the last model. Read more…

More about Google Pixel Buds, Tech, Consumer Tech, and Big Tech Companies

Best iRobot Roomba deals as of June 3:

• OUR TOP PICK: iRobot Roomba i7+ — save $150

• BEST FEATURES: iRobot Roomba s9+ — save $150

• BEST ROBOT MOP DEAL: iRobot Braava Jet M6 — save $100

Let’s face it: Dads are hard to shop for. Plenty of gift guides will tell you to get him a new tie or a set of whiskey stones (does anyone actually use those?), but we say this is the year to get him a practical gift for Father’s Day. (Father’s Day 2021 is June 20, BTW.)

One of our favorite practical gifts is a robot vacuum, and iRobot is having a Father’s Day sale on robot vacuums and robot mops. The sale is happening on iRobot’s official site, but we’re also seeing the sale prices reflected at Amazon. (Word to the wise though: it appears as if Amazon has inflated some of the list prices to make it look like you’re getting a better deal than you actually areThis is a whole thing.) Take a look at which models are included in the sale and find the best one for the father figures in your life — or snag one for yourself. Read more…

More about Roomba, Irobot, Robot Vacuums, Mashable Shopping, and Tech

Bring voice control to your home with these Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show devices on sale at Amazon as of June 3:

• OUR TOP PICK: Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release) — Save $40

• BEST FOR KIDS: Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids + Echo Glow — Save $29.99

• BEST BUDGET PICK: Echo Dot (2020 release) — Save $15

If you haven’t added voice control to your smart home collection, now is a great time for some tech upgrades. As of June 3, Amazon has tons of Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show devices on sale to help you automate your entertainment, connect with loved ones, and control your other smart devices using your voice. Just think: the right smart speaker will let you call your mom, turn on some tunes, and adjust your smart lighting without ever leaving the couch or picking up your phone. Read more…

More about Echo, Echo Dot, Prime Day, Mashable Shopping, and Tech

In the shopping realm, there’s one telltale sign that nature is healing: Prime Day *isn’t* in October.

When is Prime Day 2021?

June 21 and 22! A press release from Amazon confirmed that Prime Day 2021 will begin on Monday, June 21 at 12 a.m. PT (3 a.m. ET), and conclude on Tuesday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT (2:59 a.m. ET June 23).

Amazon has deviated from its usual mid-July time slot to try something new — and to avoid competition with the Olympics. June may also offer better timing for summer travel plans and graduations. The change from the traditional July date seems like less big of a deal when considering that last year’s Prime Day was less than two months away from Black Friday. Prime Day 2020 was postponed (a few times) due to concerns about the coronavirus, officially landing on Oct. 13 and 14 of 2020. It’s good that it’s back. The people need a summer shopping holiday to offset the winter holiday chaos, okay? Read more…

More about Prime Day, Mashable Shopping, Tech, and Work Life